For almost three quarters, the Harriman Blue Devils gave the Jefferson Middle School Eagles all they could handle before falling in the end by a 36-14 final score.

After exchanging punts to start the game, the Blue Devils and Eagles traded turnovers as Jefferson's Jesse Nigh, and Isaiah McLain each came away with a pick.

After McClain’s pick, Harriman got to the Jefferson 10 yard line before the end of the first quarter with the score tied at 0-0. Then early in the second quarter, the Devils wrapped up the nine-play, 56-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown plunge by Travis Kirkland.

Kirkland ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0 with 6:45 to go in the half.

Jefferson then marched 60 yards to score on a Gavin Warrington to Marquise Phillips 12-yard touchdown strike. The two-point try by Riley Myer was good, tying the score at 8-8 with 3:46 left in the half.

After a three-and-out by the Harriman offense, Jefferson took two plays to cover 67 yards when Warrington scored on a two-yard quarterback sneak.

The two point try was short, leaving the score 14-8 with 50.7 left in the half.

After Jefferson failed to pick up a first down on their opening drive of the second half, Harriman embarked on a 10-play, 55-yard drive, culminating in a Kirkland to Michael Roberts 25-yard halfback pass for a touchdown for Harriman.

The two-point try was no good, tying the score at 14-14 with one minute left in the third quarter.

After a big kick-off return by the Eagles to the Harriman 38, all it took was one play for Marquise Phillips to sprint 38 yards for a Jefferson touchdown. The two-point try fell short and the score was 20-14 with 45.4 seconds left in the third quarter.

Jefferson added to their lead early in the fourth quarter when Marquise Phillips broke loose from 48 yards out. Warrington found Myer for the two-point play, making the score 28-14 with 6:49 to go in the game.

After Harriman had one last shot to get back in striking distance, Jesse Nigh again picked off Harriman to set up a six-play, 38-yard drive where Myer scored on a 14-yard touchdown run with 34.2 seconds left in the game.

Jaleel Luster ran in the two-point play, but an injury on the play ended the game at that point.

Harriman was led through the air by Kirkland (1-1, 25 yards, 1 TD) and Brantley Taylor (2-6, 21 yards). Kirkland (17-71- 1 TD) led all Blue Devil rushers with Roberts (1-25-1 TD) and Hunter Clark (2-21) leading Harriman in receiving.